There are two areas over which parents have no control: getting a child to eat, and choosing a child's friends.  Today, we'll look at fussy eaters.  You know them well; they don't like what you're serving and expect you to get them something else.  if you do this, you are setting yourself up for problems--problems that don't easily go away.

If a child doesn't like what you're serving, don't make a big deal over it.  Let the child know what the choices are for food this meal.  If he or she doesn't like it, your child is free to go to his or her room until the meal is over.  What would he or she like to do, stay at the table and eat with the family, or go to the bedroom.  Either way, it's the child's choice so it won't create a battlescene at the table.

If the child leaves the table and comes to you later wanting food, simply remind your little darling, he or she made the decision to leave the table and the next meal will be served at breakfast (or whatever the next meal or snack time is).  Contrary to popular belief, your child will NOT starve that evening.  This is a direct power play by your child and needs to be stopped--you, the parent, are in charge.  It's important for children to eat a variety of different foods and to eat at the table with the rest of the family.

A super nanny parent will not make meal time a place for battle and control.  It's not worth it.  Simply give your child a choice and let it be.  Do not say anything else.  You don't have to defend your position as parent to your child.  Being a parent is not part of a personality contest.  If your child gets upset with you, it's only temporary.